Bios

• Yesterday and Today
• Rave On!
• Rock Legends

Leon Adams is a full-time professional pianist/keyboardist, songwriter, director, and arranger. Born and raised just south of Seattle, Washington, Leon has over 30 years of piano experience beginning at age 7 and was a church accompanist for 5 choirs at age 8. Leon has credits on over 200 recording projects as a studio keyboardist and arranger. Recent highlights include performing with Grammy-winning gospel artist Richard Smallwood, and a studio session with saxophonist Walter King (nephew of legendary blues guitarist B.B King).

Among other tasks, Leon has done film scoring, commercial jingles, and worked as a keyboardist for Carnival Cruise Lines. Leon has participated in a test study from the University of California-Berkeley on the genetics of people who have absolute pitch (or commonly called “perfect pitch,” which Leon has). It has been determined that the average speed that it takes Leon to recognize a musical tone without any reference, is between .9 and 1.2 seconds.

Leon has served as the Director of Music Ministries at St Andrews United Methodist Church (Omaha) and currently serves as a staff keyboardist for the church. Acclaimed actor John Beasley appointed Leon as his music director for theater productions, which led to a nomination for “Best Music Director” by Omaha Arts and Entertainment for 2007. In addition, Leon serves currently as keyboardist and music director for one of the longest enduring local bands The Confidentials. Rave On! has been a bright spot for Leon’s music career. Leon currently lives in Omaha with his wife, Loris.

Jason Ferguson (Lead Guitar)

• Yesterday and Today
• Rave On!
• Rock Legends

Jason Ferguson started playing guitar professionally at the age of 15. He’s a graduate of the Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles, where he worked with several artists through the 90s. Jason has taught over 50 students a week for over 10 years. He has recorded guitar and mandolin and co-written songs on numerous projects including several Omaha Entertainment Award winning CDs, including Sarah Benck and the Robbers, Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies, Midwest Dilemma, and Filter Kings. Jason has shared the stage with Bon Jovi, Blues Traveler, REO Speedwagon, Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Winter, Arc Angels and many others. Jason has been featured in Guitar Player Magazine, and ‘Time Is Now’ a single off of his self produced and written CD, Sweet Disguise, which won second place in the Blues category of the International Songwriting Competition. You can hear his tunes at www.myspace.com/jasonferguson.

Matthew McGuigan (Vocals, Bass)

• Yesterday and Today
• Rave On!
• Rock Legends

Matthew McGuigan is a graduate of Pinellas County Center for the Arts in St. Petersburg, FL and has extensive theatrical credits including West Side Story (Tony), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Tommy) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Musical Director). When he’s not performing with his brother Billy, he’s the other half to the band Moses Prey. He’s been playing music for 15 years, and couldn’t be anymore excited to be a part of this production. He would like to thank his wife Christine and son Lennon for their support, and dedicates his performance to the memory of his late father, Bill.

Ryan McGuigan (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar)

• Yesterday and Today

Ryan McGuigan would first like to take this opportunity to say how much he enjoys getting to ROCK to the greatest music of all time with his brothers Billy and Matthew. He is a graduate of the Pinellas County Center for the Arts in St Petersburg, Fl. Some of his favorite past roles include Joey in Tony n Tina’s Wedding, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar and a Theatre Arts Guild award winning portrayal of Buddy in The Last Session. Ryan is a member of the Theatre Arts Guild. When Ryan isn’t performing with Yesterday and Today, he tag teams with his brother Matthew in the Power Pop Rock band Moses Prey. Ryan would like to dedicate his performance to his family: Kay, Harry, JoJo, Julia and Jackie.

Rich Miller (Percussionist)

• Yesterday and Today
• Rave On!
• Rock Legends

Rich Miller learned at an early age that playing a variety of music styles was the key to being a working percussionist. In his hometown of Hastings, NE, his high school years introduced him to rock, jazz, dixieland, and concert percussion. With the help of his first drum set teacher, Leslie Foster, Rich was well on his way to making drumming his life’s ambition. After high school, Rich attended Missouri Western State University and studied under Dr. Dennis Rogers. From 1994 to 1998, Rich attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and studied under Professors Al Rometo and John DeStefano. While there, Rich also served as the drum line section leader for the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band.

After completing five years of service with the U.S. Army, Rich joined his wife in Des Moines, IA. There, he was discovered by a Latin jazz group from Pella, IA, called Ashanti. Rich served as the group’s Latin percussionist and alternate drum set player performing at jazz festivals, weddings, and college music clinics. Rich continues to use his percussion and drum set skills performing with a variety of groups in Nebraska and Iowa. Since moving to the Omaha area, Rich has created The Chop Shop Percussion Studio offering percussion education to a wide variety of students. In addition to becoming a new member of the “Rave On!” cast, Rich and his wife live in Omaha with their son Samuel.

Rich holds a B.S. degree in Business and a minor in Music Performance from Wayland Baptist University-San Antonio, TX.

Darren Pettit (Musical Director, Saxophone)

• Yesterday and Today
• Rave On!
• Rock Legends

Darren Pettit received his Bachelor’s degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and his Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He is currently the Saxophone instructor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the director of the Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the co-founder of the Omaha Jazz Workshop. He also has a large studio of private students. Darren is in high demand as an active performer and educator in the Omaha area.

Colleen Quinn

Colleen Quinn started Rave On Productions with Billy McGuigan in March of 2003. She is the visionary that has taken the company’s shows from their humble beginnings in local comedy clubs to their current position on the national stage. Colleen oversees Rave On Productions’ future endeavors and is always keen on finding a way to take things “to the next level.”

Kate Whitecotton (Tour and Production Manager)

Kate joined Rave On Productions in the summer of 2007 after exploring the many options that a career in technical theater can provide. Starting off as a guitar technician and personal assistant for Yesterday and Today, Kate quickly became the stage manager for not only Yesterday and Today, but also for Rave On! and Rock Legends. By the fall of 2009, Kate was promoted to her current role as Tour and Production Manager. With Kate’s position ever changing and growing, Kate now also handles all national booking duties, in addition to her management roles.

Darren Pettit (Head of Promotions and General Manager)

Since joining Rave On Productions in 2002, Darren’s role has expanded greatly over the years. A top-notch musician by any standard, Darren took over as musical director in 2009 and now handles all musical personnel hiring and management. In addition, Darren works extensively with venues across the country to ensure that media outlets receive proper attention and promotional materials.